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Originally unveiled at the Beijing auto show earlier this year, Infiniti’s swoopy crossover concept takes the stage in France with a slick coat of matte gray paint and a big set of 22-inch, bronze-painted wheels—one inch larger than the units used on the previous concept.

Arguably of more importance, though, is the brand’s new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which is making its auto-show debut alongside the concept. Thanks to four multilink mechanisms within its crankcase (one for each cylinder), Infiniti claims its new variable-compression engine can vary its compression ratio from as low as 8.0:1 to as high as 14.0:1. Infiniti calls it Variable Compression-Turbocharged (VC-T), and the company is aiming for power and torque figures of approximately 268 horsepower and 288 lb-ft. At the same time, the Japanese luxury brand is confident VC-T will assist in delivering diesel-like fuel efficiency, thanks to the engine’s ability to switch between compression ratios as it sees fit, not to mention a host of other technologies. (For more on the innovative VC-T engine, see our in-depth analysis of the technology.)

With formal plans to bring the VC-T engine to market by 2018, we think it’s no coincidence that Infiniti decided to show off its new four-cylinder alongside the updated QX Sport Inspiration concept. The crossover is expected to serve as a replacement to Infiniti’s long-in-the-tooth QX50 compact crossover SUV (formerly the EX) when it reaches production. And don’t be surprised if the real-life QX Sport Inspiration is one of the first Infiniti products with the VC-T engine under the hood.